Nigeria to manufacture auto spare parts

The Federal Government plans to begin local manufacturing of auto spare parts soon.

Making this known to reporters in Lagos, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Muhammed Sada, said the ministry would incorporate products from local manufacturers to realise the plan, aimed at creating jobs.

He said: “We are working on some projects whereby some of the major automobile manufacturers would be invited to speed up activities in the production of basic spare parts for the motor industry with the hope that we would build it to the level where we would be able to produce motor vehicles.

“This is where the local manufacturers will come in. We would not be thinking of this kind of programmes without the local manufactuers . They would be part of the framework with which the automobile framework will be built.

“We are in a strong partnership with them, which we believe would develop the industry, and most importantly, providing the required jobs for the Nigerian people.”

The minister said the government had decided to leave the development of the steel industry to the private sector, adding that the government would only serve as regulator for the activities within the sector.

“This has led the government into privatising most of the operations in the sector. The idea is to ensure that a level-playing field and an enabling environment is created for businesses to progress and grow and be the drivers of the achievements that are found in the sector,” he added.